gdk_20181001_DSC0729_H2500
Bliss
Bliss
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Oct, 2018Views
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Awards
Top Shot Award 22
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. They are only approachable by water so it is always a challenge to get a sharp picture in a boat that is bobbing up and down in the waves.Time
In November the sun starts to stay low in the sky for the entire day. This allows for long periods of warm light. More important for this picture was calm seas with low tides. The rocks that this seal is sleeping on disappear at high tide and the need to use a long telephoto lens handheld requires bright light and a stable boat.Lighting
There is a need to shoot at a fast shutter speed to freeze camera shake with a long telephoto lens. This requires bright light. When shooting wildlife on the water I like overcast days where a light cloud cover diffuses the light to reduce dynamic range in the picture and soften shadows.Equipment
This was shot using a Nikon D7000 with a Tamron 150-600 G1 telephoto lens. It was shot handheld to absorb boat movement.Inspiration
I find seals a fun challenge to shoot. First they need to be photographed from the water meaning great care has to be exercised to reduce camera shake. They blend in to the rocks that they sleep on making it difficult to separate them from the background. Finally, their eyes are completely dark because they are adapted to seeing well under water. This creates the dreaded blank stare if they are looking at you. The seal in this picture was high up on the rock allowing him to be framed against a dark blurred background. He was happily asleep meaning his eyes were closed and the focus could be on his small sleepy smile.Editing
This picture only required some cropping with simple tonal and white balance adjustments.In my camera bag
Taking pictures of wildlife from a moving boat requires being able to hand hold a long lens. This requires making a choice between heavy fast lenses and slower lenses that are easier to hand hold and balance on a moving platform. I use a crop sensor body (D500) with a Tamron 150-600 zoom lens. This allows me to fill the frame while maintaining a respectful distance that minimizes disturbance to the subject.Feedback
The ocean is in a constant state of change. To get good pictures one needs to be out there. Get a camera. Get a boat. Go poke around. Amazing things will appear for you to capture.
